Your Colon Can't Wait: How Early Detection
Can Save Your Life
March 24, 2015
In Partnership with
In
Donald Nease, MD
Associate
A
i Professor
P f
off Family
F il Medicine
M di i
University of Colorado
Colon Cancer:
P
Preventable,
t bl Treatable,
T t bl Beatable
B t bl
•
•
•
•
Largely Preventable Disease
If Diagnosed Early, It is Treatable
137,000
, People
p Newlyy Diagnosed
g
in US Annuallyy with Colon Cancer
Nearly 50,000 Deaths Annually
Colon Cancer:
P
Preventable,
bl Treatable,
T
bl Beatable
B bl
• #2 Cause
Ca se of Cancer Mortalit
Mortality in Non-Smoking
Non Smoking Males and Females
• In the US, There are More than One Million Colon Cancer Survivors
Colon Cancer Signs & Symptoms
• Change in Bowel Habits
• Diarrhea
Di h or C
Constipation
ti ti
• Change in Stool Consistency
• Rectal Bleeding or Blood in the Stool
• Persistent Abdominal Discomfort (e.g. Cramps, Gas, Pain)
• Feeling that Bowel Doesn't Empty Completely
• Weakness or Fatigue
• Unexplained Weight Loss
Colon Cancer Signs & Symptoms
• Colon Cancer Doesn’t Have Age Limits
• If You are Experiencing Any of the Symptoms Described, Talk to Your
Doctor about Getting Screened
• If You are 50 and Over Talk to Your Doctor about Making Screening
Part of Your Prevention Plan
Best Screening Test is
Th One
The
O That
Th t Gets
G t Done
D
• Many Legitimate Reasons Why People Choose a Test Other than
Colonoscopy
• Privacy
• Time Required for Completion
• Need for an Accompanying Person, etc.
Best Screening Test is
Th One
The
O That
Th t Gets
G t Done
D
• If You Are Not at High Risk, There are Options
• Your Doctor Can Help You Choose the Right Test for You
– Follow Up is Important
– Did It Get Done?
– Was
W it Positive?
P iti ?
Other Options
What & How
Frequency
Stool Guaiac Fecal Stool
Guaiac Fecal
Occult Blood Test
(FOBT)
Tests for blood
Tests
for blood
Swab bowel movement onto cards
Every year with High Every
year with High
Sensitivity
Stool Immunochemical
(FIT)
Tests for blood
Swab bowel movement onto card
Annually
Stool DNA
(Cologuard)
Tests for abnormal DNA – Every 3 Years
send bowel movement
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Looks for polyps – done in doctors’ office
Every 5 Years, May Combine with Annual Stool Test
Pros and Cons
Pros
Stool Guaiac Fecal Occult • No Prep
Blood Test
• Done at Home
(FOBT)
• Inexpensive
Cons
• Accuracy
• Dietary Restrictions
• Colonoscopy if Positive
Stool Immunochemical
Stool
Immunochemical
(FIT)
•
•
•
•
Stool DNA
(Cologuard)
• No Prep
• No Dietary Restrictions
• Done at Home
• Expensive
• Colonoscopy of Positive
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
• No Sedation
• Can Biopsy
• Every 5 Year Test
• Only views part of colon
• Colonoscopy if Positive
No Prep
No Dietary Restrictions
Done at Home
Fairly Inexpensive
• Accuracy
• Colonoscopy if Positive
Keys to Remember
• Talk to Your Doctor about Your Preferences
• Pick the Test that’s Right for You
• Commit to yyour Test!
Carroll Jean Anderson
P
Proponent
off At-Home
A H
SStooll Testing
T i
Carroll’s FIT Experience
• Prefer FIT Test over Colonoscopy
• Directions are Easy to Follow
• “Yuck Factor” is Minimal
• Completed Second FIT Test at the End of February.
• Results were Negative
• Results of Previous FIT Test were also Negative
.
Carroll’s Take-Away Message
• FIT Test is Easyy
• Can be Done at Home
• Screening
S
i Saves
S
Lives!
Li !
.
David A. Greenwald, MD
Director off Cli
Di
Clinical
i l Gastroenterology
G
l andd Endoscopy
Ed
Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York, New York
Colon Cancer Develops from Polyps: Focus on Colon
Cancer Prevention
• Wh
Whatt are PPolyps?
l ?
• Polyps are Pre-Cancerous Growths on the Lining of the Colon
Colon Cancer Develops from Polyps: Focus on Colon
Cancer Prevention
•
•
•
•
Little Polyps Turn into Big Polyps
Big Polyps Turn into Cancer
P
Process
T k Many
Takes
M Years
Y
Removal of the Polyp at Any Point Prevents Colon Cancer
Colonoscopy 101
• Simple and Safe Procedure
• Your Doctor Uses a Long Tube
with a Light and a Camera to
Look for Polyps
Colonoscopy 101
• Removes Polyps
• Decreases Risk of Colon Cancer
Colonoscopy 101
• Procedure is Painless
• Most Patients are Fully
Sedated
• Total Procedure Time is Well
Under an Hour
• Patient Return to Full Activity
the Next day
Colonoscopy 101: Pre-procedure
• Diet Modifications
– Clear Liquids on the Day Prior
• Soupp Broth
• Ice Pops
• Gelatins
– Most Medications are Continued
Colonoscopy 101: Pre-Procedure
Preparation
• Most People Believe this is the Worst Part
• 2 to 4 Liters of Fluid, Split into Two Doses and Generally Many
Hours Apart
• Causes Diarrhea which is Necessary to Clean Out the Intestine
This is the Most Critical Step, so the Doctor can see the Colon Lining
and Detect Polyps
Colonoscopy 101: The Procedure
•
•
•
•
Most People are Sedated
Painless
Duration of 30-60 Minutes
If Polyps Found, They Can be Removed
Immediatelyy
• Polyps Sent to Laboratory for Analysis
Colonoscopy 101: Polyp Removal
Colonoscopy 101: Post-Procedure
•
•
•
•
•
Most Patients are Fully Awake 5-15 Minutes After the Procedure
Some Gas and Bloating, but Quickly Resolves
You Can Eat!
Must Have an Escort Home
No Driving or Life Changing Decisions until Next Day
Colonoscopy: Barriers
• Fear
– Prep
– Pain
– Complications
– Results
• Embarrassment
• Financial
Colonoscopy
•
•
•
•
Crucial to Colon Cancer Prevention
Allows Both Polyp Detection and Removal
Eliminate Barriers and Save Lives
Colon Cancer Incidence and Death Rates from Colon Cancer Both
Decreasingg
Jessica Lee
C l Cancer
Colon
C
SSurvivor,
i Stage
S II
Jessica’s Story
• Applied for the Blue Hope Prevention Award in July 2014
• Symptoms:
• Sharpp Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Cramping
• Loss of Appetite
Jessica’s Story
• Colonoscopy completed September 5, 2014 through Blue Hope
Prevention Award
• Results:
• Received cancer diagnosis September 8, 2014
• Had surgery
g y September
p
22, 2014
• Declared cancer-free September 24, 2014
Jessica’s
H
Happy
E
Ending
di
• I am Cancer Free!
• Screening
S
i Saved
S d My Life!
if !
• Thank You,
ou, Co
Colon
o C
Cancer
ce Alliance!
ce!
Learn more: www.ccalliance.org
Connect with Us
Colon Cancer Alliance
E il [email protected]
Email:
i f @ lli
Call the Helpline: 1-877-422-2030
Web: ccalliance.org
Health Matters at Work
(A Program of Community Health Charities)
Web: healthmattersatwork.org